Site Navigation

The Victorian School Room

Discover schooling the Victorian way with our memorable learning facility using interaction, storytelling and fun! Suitable for Foundation Phase to KS2

Children love the horrors of the Victorian classroom. First, line up in silence to the ringing of the hand bell. Fear the swish of the cane and wonder - who will get it next? They will be thinking, "Will anyone wear the Welsh Not or the Dunce’s cap today?" and "if so, will it be me?"

All this and the Three R’s, the mysteries of pounds, shillings and pence, the singing of tonic sol-fah, copperplate handwriting with slate pencils on slate boards – right-hand only please – and a truly terrifying Victorian school teacher too!

This is a presentation packed with information, stories and lots and lots of exciting experiences from Victorian times. You and your children will love it.

The Victorian school room has been re-created to hold workshops for school classes, led by a strict but very knowledgeable school mistress. Lessons will be tailored to different age groups and include good behaviour and discipline, the three ‘Rs’, song, storytelling, drama and lots of pupil participation.

“The whole class thoroughly enjoyed their morning being taken back to Victorian school life. They were able to get straight into character as soon as they arrived. The children were so engaged in the activity they recalled a lot of what they had learnt which helped us start our planning for next term."

Lisa Kay, Class Teacher, Ysgol y Faenol

Information

Did you know?

The Welsh Not, typically a piece of wood that was hung around the necks of children, was a punishment used in some Welsh schools in the 19th and early 20th century to discourage children from speaking Welsh. With over 50% of Welsh residents still speaking the language it seems the punishment didn't work.